My name is Jim Clark, I am forty-eight years young and a father of three primary school aged children. I am a police officer and have been for eighteen years. Having spent twelve of that in the capital city I made my way up north six years ago. I am now based on a Police Rural Crime team in the North West of the UK...
On my rest days I love to explore the fabulous Peak District and the rolling countryside of Cheshire. Often after dropping the children off at school I will head straight to the hills to unwind and take my mental and physical exercise whatever the weather.
My job is quite demanding and as a team we cover a vast area looking after our rural communities and businesses. I never take for granted the role I am in; I am so lucky to be out and about in the countryside meeting some amazing people in all weather conditions. I have total admiration for our UK famers who constantly toil to help put food on our tables. I love spending my days with them, their families, rural businesses and rural workers whilst also showing a visible presence to deter criminality.
Our UK countryside is stunning, and we do our best to deter, prevent and detect travelling criminality who try taking advantage of rural locations and the honest way of farming life.
Criminals rarely bother about the weather and often use the cover of inclement weather and darkness to commit crime, which means we can often work long protracted shifts in all weathers out on foot with very little opportunity or time for a change of clothes or to warm up in the comfort of an office. Good quality clothing is essential in keeping us alert and able to operate in all weathers for the duration of our shifts.
Having spent some considerable time in the British Army prior to my current role I am well aware of how the quality of uniform clothing can impact our ability to carry out our roles in all weathers. It quickly becomes apparent how much money members of the armed forces and, also, police officers, spend on good quality “civilian” biased outdoor clothing.
From the mid-eighties when British Soldiers were purchasing their own Norwegian army jumpers to keep them warm on winter exercises to the modern-day (in my case, police officers), we can be thankful for the advancement of technical materials and manufacturing techniques in a new era of super effective clothing.
With this in mind it’s not uncommon to see more frequently the “introduction” of good quality non police issue clothing being worn by officers, especially those who work in more rural locations. Clearly, we must be identifiable as police officers (most of the time) when operationally required, however, with a handy bit of army-taught needle and thread work the addition of a name badge or identifiable insignia isn’t too hard to add to a far superior garment. This adaption gives us the appearance that the public expect, but for the wearer the confidence that our clothing will offer us greater protection against the weather; longevity; and far more comfort that the more often cheaper, less technically adept mass-produced, contract-goes-to-the-cheapest-bidder issued clothing.
It is quite often the case on dark winter evenings when the weather is fit for ducks and sometimes penguins that my entire “uniform” is made up of a Parameta Technical long-sleeved shirt, (super toasty) and a Torres Medio Gilet to keep me snug under my Alturo jacket. For those moments when I want to blend into the landscape my Halcon jacket comes out to protect me from the elements and the unwanted prying eye.
When I am not at work and out in the hills my choice is once again my long-sleeved shirt and my Halcon, or, for when it gets slightly warmer, my outer layer smock and, to keep the grey matter warm, my awesome Paramo beanie hat.
The brilliant Nikwax materials and washing solutions keep everything working as it should and I will often use these aftercare products to add some protection to my standard issue clothing to try and enhance its not-so-protective capabilities!
I love the ethical manufacturing partnership that Páramo has and whilst out on patrol targeting organised criminality it is reassuring to know the protection I am offered by the clothing has come full circle via Paramo’s employment of vulnerable women in Bogota, Colombia. In a probably more than tenuous link between the criminals we are targeting it feels we are inextricably linked to these ladies by Páramo.
The amazing Páramo recycling scheme, just like the clothing, gives me a warm glowing feeling. The fact that when – and I’m not holding my breath – I ever need to replace my garments I can return them to Páramo, and in one way, shape or form they will end up being recycled. Of course, the generous discount they offer on new products is a bonus but that, for me, is second to the far superior products that Páramo produce. I will always make Páramo my first choice of outdoor clothing both “off” and sometimes more discreetly “on” duty.
